Wildcard Week by Numbers

by mikeygnfl Sat Jan 04, 2014 3:55 am

Indianapolis Colts vs Kansas City Chiefs

Indianapolis have home advantage after winning the AFC South with an 11-5 (6-2 home). Kansas City claimed their playoff spot with an 11-5 season (6-2 road). Andy Reid's side were the last unbeaten team this year going 9-0 up to their bye week before losing to the Denver Broncos in week 11. Since then they have gone 2-5. Their win over the Eagles in week 3 was their only victory against a team with a winning record this season. Against the other playoff teams, the Colts are 4-2, having beaten the 49ers, Seahawks, Broncos & Chiefs.

The Colts lead the Chiefs 15-8 in all-time head-to-head record, including a 23-7 victory two weeks ago. Andrew Luck is 2-0 against Kansas City while Alex Smith is 0-3 when facing the Colts. The two sides have met three times before in the playoffs in 1996, 2004 and 2007 and Indianapolis won all three games. It is looking quite ominous for the Chiefs who have lost their last seven playoff games. You have to go back to 1993 and the Joe Montana era to find their last playoff win. Maybe it is fated for another ex-49ers quarterback to break that run?

10 game trend:- Colts lead 8-2 going back to 2000. Average score Colts 26-19 Chiefs.

Cincinnati Bengals vs San Diego Chargers

Cincinnati reached the playoffs for the third consecutive year, finishing 11-5 for the season, winning the AFC North and claiming the No. 3 seed. The Bengals were also one of only three teams to go 8-0 at home (the other two being New England and New Orleans). San Diego claimed the final playoff spot by beating the Chiefs late in overtime last Sunday to finish with a 9-7 record (4-4 road). These two teams have the best records against the other playoff teams. Cincinnati are unbeaten in four against the Packers, Patriots, Chargers and Colts. San Diego are 5-2 having beaten the Eagles, Colts, Broncos and Chiefs twice.

Despite the Chargers losing to the Bengals, 13-10, back at the start of December they lead in head-to-heads 19-14. The Bengals won their only previous playoff encounter in 1982 and Andy Dalton is 2-0 against San Diego. The Bengals though haven't won any playoff game since 1990, a five game losing streak and Dalton's playoff record includes no touchdowns and four picks. Phillip Rivers is 2-3 against Cincinnati including losing the last three encounters.

10 game trend:- They are tied 5-5 since 1997. Average score Bengals 23-27 Chargers

Philadelphia Eagles vs New Orleans Saints

Philadelphia clinched the NFC East with a primetime victory over divisional rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, last Sunday. Chip Kelly’s side finished the season 10-6 and claim the No. 3 seed and home advantage this weekend. Despite being 4-4 at home this season, the Eagles have won their last four games at the Lincoln Financial Field. They will host New Orleans who despite looking NFC South winners for much of the year, ended up being the No. 6 seed with an 11-5 (3-5 road).

The Eagles lead 16-12 in head-to-heads while the two teams are one apiece in playoff games. Philadelphia won in the 1993 while the Saints were victorious in 2007. New Orleans have never won a road game in the playoffs though. Drew Brees is 4-2 against the Eagles but is 0-4 outdoors in the playoffs. In the last ten years the average seed of the NFC Champion has been 2.8 with would point to the Eagles reaching this year's Super Bowl.

10 game trend:- Eagles lead 6-4 going back to that 1993 playoff game. Average score Eagles 26-24 Saints

Green Bay Packers vs San Francisco 49ers

Inspired by the returning Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay clinched NFC North last Sunday with victory of divisional rivals, Chicago. They ended the season with an 8-7-1 record (4-3-1 home) to claim the No.4 seed. San Francisco finished runners up in the NFC West with a record of 12-4 (6-2 road).

The Packers lead 34-29-1 in head-to-head match-ups but have lost the last three meetings. In those last three meetings the 49ers have rushed for 600 yards to the Packers 212 yards. Green Bay also lead in playoff games 4-2. Colin Kaepernick is 2-0 against the Packers while Rodgers is 1-3 in 49ers games. San Francisco have never won a playoff game at the Lambeau Field.

10 game trend:- Packers lead 7-3 since 2000 (lost last three but won previous seven). Average score Packers 27-23 49ers

by **Pr4wn** Sat Jan 04, 2014 10:24 am

Very nice write up mikey. I can't see KC beating Indy.

by crazy_dave23 Sat Jan 04, 2014 12:35 pm

Yeah nice one mikey. There are some good nuggets of info in there

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Sat Jan 04, 2014 1:08 pm

Good stuff Mikey!

My Predictions would be this;

Indy over KC - Chiefs aren't very good, and have been found out down the stretch once they stopped facing backup QB's

Saints over Eagles - While the Saints don't play as well outside the Dome, I think they matchup real well against the Eagles D. Who the heck is gonna cover Graham?! Also think Foles might crumble

Cincy over San Diego - As I said on the discussion thread, against my heart I fancy Cincy to come out of the AFC this year. Although the Chargers will keep it close I think

49ers over Packers - The weather is making it seem like this will be a tough, hard nosed, physical game. San Fran must be licking their lips at this, Green Bay's D won't stop the run and it could take away some of Rodgers's brilliance

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